We get infected with the coronavirus during a short conversation. The air current accompanying the utterance of certain sounds carries it with dizzying speed
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A study by scientists from Princeton University shows that while chatting at home, we spray the aerosol at a distance of up to several meters. The droplets that carry pathogens spread quickly and over long distances in closed rooms. And the extent of a virus is determined by the words we say. It will reach the farthest when we pronounce words with a strongly accentuated “p”.

  1. During a conversation, the aerosol containing viruses spreads over a distance of more than 2 meters, scientists argue. This is more than the safe distance of 1,5 or 2 meters
  2. The strongest gust of air arises when you say the letter “p” – according to research conducted at Princeton University
  3. A longer conversation is a series of gusts creating a vortex of air
  4. Just keeping a 2-meter distance from your interlocutor does not eliminate the risk of infection
  5. You can find more about the coronavirus on the TvoiLokony home page

“We should be aware of the consequences of just talking,” says Howard Stone, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton. – The aerosol stays not only around our heads, but also a few meters away. Certainly further than the safe 2 meters.

  1. This is how the coronavirus spreads in the supermarket and while jogging

We already know that asymptomatic carriers of the coronavirus can infect those around them when they talk, sneeze or laugh. The Princeton research team set itself the task of determining how quickly and how far the aerosol droplets that are released during a conversation in a closed room float.

“There’s been a lot of writing about the coughing and sneezing that comes with the flu,” says Stone. – But the flu shows visible symptoms, while the coronavirus is spread by asymptomatic people.

  1. Two meters is not enough? The researcher claims that the distance should be much greater

The swirls of air that accompany speaking are similar to those produced by a jet engine

Research by American scientists was conducted in poorly ventilated interiors. And Professor Stone emphasizes its importance, especially during a long conversation.

Scientists say the masks do not completely block the flow of aerosols. However, they play a key role in disrupting the ‘streaming’ flow of air from the speaker’s mouth, preventing the droplets from being transported rapidly over a distance of more than 30 cm.

What was the research like?

In their research, scientists used a super-fast camera that recorded the movement of tiny, laser-illuminated droplets coming out of the speaker’s mouth. The speaker recited several phrases such as “We’ll beat the coronavirus” and “Piotr Piper picked up a packet of pickled peppers.” The authors wanted to see how different sounds generate air flow.

It turned out that the “p” sound caused a blast of air in front of the speaker. On the other hand, a longer conversation is a “series of gusts”. Each gust creates a small vortex, and the interaction of each vortex creates a cone-shaped airflow, similar to that thrown from a jet engine. As a result, fine particles, including aerosolized pathogens, can easily and quickly travel over a long distance from the speaker.

Longer conversations in tight spaces increase the risk of infection

Even saying one word can spray the aerosol much further than the safe 2 meters in a matter of seconds. Much also depends on the length of the conversation. The longer it lasts, the further the aerosol will spread.

The researchers say: “Longer discussions in a confined space mean more virus-containing particles will be floating in the air and that they will travel much further.” Thus, maintaining a 2-meter social distance does not eliminate the risk of infection.

“If we speak out loud for 30 seconds, we spray the aerosol at a much greater distance towards the speaker,” says Stone.

Unfortunately, the American survey was conducted in English, so we can only guess that speaking Polish will generate comparable air flows.

See also:

  1. How do you know if you have already been infected with the coronavirus without symptoms?
  2. What medications do I need at home in case of coronavirus? Doctors answer
  3. He comes home with COVID-19. Who will be infected the fastest? The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.

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